pH effects in the spontaneous reactivation of phosphinylated acetylcholinesterase

Previous studies on the spontaneous reactivation of phosphorylated and phosphonylated cholinesterases report bell-shaped curves with reaction rate maxima between pH values of 7 and 9. By way of contrast, we found reactivation rate minima in the same pH region for a phosphinylated bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and three phosphinylated eel acetylcholinesterases. To further elucidate these observations, eel acetylcholinesterase was inhibited with racemic 4-nitrophenyl ethyl(phenyl)phosphinate. The spontaneous reactivation of the inhibited enzyme over the pH range 6.00 to 9.00 was monitored following 1. both inhibition and spontaneous reactivation at the same pH, and 2. inhibition at pH 7.60 followed by spontaneous reactivation at the selected pH. The combined plots of both studies gave overlapping pH curves with minima around pH 7.60. The results indicate that the minima in the rates of the spontaneous reactivation of phosphinylated acetylcholinesterases are not the consequence of a pH-controlled change in the relative inhibition rates of the P(+)- and P(-)-enantiomers participating in the inhibition reaction. Our results suggest that the orientation of the phosphinyl group in the active site of phosphinylated acetylcholinesterase is quite different from that of the inhibitor groups in phosphonylated or phosphorylated enzyme.     

Soman levels in kidney and urine following administration to rat, guinea pig, and marmoset.

Concentrations of C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman (1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) in urine of anaesthetized, atropinized and artificially ventilated rats, guinea pigs and marmosets were determined 1-4 h after iv administration of 1-6 LD50 of the agent and in the kidneys 1 h after iv administration of 2-6 LD50 14C-C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman. The concentrations of the toxic C(+/-)P(-)-isomers in both urine and kidneys of the rat were at least two orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding levels in the two other species. Relatively high urine concentrations were also found for C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman-intoxicated (6 LD50) rats pretreated with the nontoxic soman analogue PDP (1,2,2-trimethyl dimethylphosphinate), which considerably decreases the persistence of C(+/-)P(-)-soman in rats, or the carboxylesterase inhibitor CBDP [2-(o-cresyl)-4H-1:3:2-benzodioxaphosphorin-2-oxide]. The lethal effect brought about by intravesical administration of C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman in rats showed that the agent can easily be reabsorbed from the bladder. It is concluded, that this reabsorption does probably not explain the previously observed persistence and "late toxicity" of C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman in rats, although the amount of renally excreted C(+/-)P(-)-soman (ca. 1% of the administered dose) should be sufficient for a toxicologically significant effect.     

Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide induces viral reactivation at concentrations that block DNA elongation in mammalian cells

The survival of UV-irradiated Simian virus 40 (SV40) in CV-1P African green monkey kidney cells treated with (+/-)7 beta, 8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha, 10 alpha epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BP-diol epoxide I) was studied. Enhanced survival of UV damaged SV40 was detected when CV-1P cells were treated with dose levels of BP-diol epoxide I corresponding to the exponential portion (0.33-1.11 microM) of a CV-1P cell survival curve. Dose levels of BP-diol epoxide I corresponding to the shoulder region (less than or equal to 0.16 microM) of a CV-1P survival curve did not induce viral reactivation. The shoulder region concentrations of BP-diol epoxide I selectively inhibited DNA initiation while the concentrations on the exponential portion of the curve preferentially inhibited DNA elongation. It was shown in a time course of enhanced viral survival at 0.66 microM BP-diol epoxide I that the reactivation response was fully induced by 24 h. In conclusion, the viral reactivation response was associated with concentrations of BP-diol epoxide I which induced lethal damage and preferentially inhibited DNA elongation.     

Stabilization and gas chromatographic analysis of the four stereoisomers of 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman) in rat blood

A method for the stabilization and gas chromatographic analysis of the four stereoisomers of C(+/-)P(+/-)-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman) in rat blood samples is described. Satisfactory stabilization of all four stereoisomers is obtained by (i) acidification of the blood sample to pH 4.2 at 0 degrees C, to stabilize the C(+/-)P(+) isomers, (ii) addition of aluminum ions (2.5 mM) for complexation of fluoride ions, which prevents regeneration of C(+/-)P(-)-soman by free fluoride ions from soman-inhibited aliesterase, and (iii) addition of 2,2-dimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate in order to occupy covalent binding sites for C(+/-)P(-)-soman. The stereoisomers of soman and internal standard are extracted from the blood-stabilizing buffer mixture with a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and are subsequently eluted with ethyl acetate with overall extraction recoveries of 52 +/- 8%. The four soman stereoisomers are resolved and analyzed on a wide-bore capillary Chirasil Val column, synthesized, and coated in house, which also resolves the internal standard C(+/-)P(+/-)-1,2,2-[U-2H]trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate from C(+/-)P(+/-)-soman. Alternatively, the gas chromatographic analysis can be performed on a wide-bore capillary Chirasil Val column, identical with the commercially available Chirasil Val column, when combined in series with a Carbowax 20M column. This system resolves the four stereoisomers of soman and the internal standard C(-)P(+)-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl [U-2H]methylphosphonofluoridate. Using an alkali flame ionization detector, the detection limit of our procedure is ca. 250 pg soman isomer/blood sample.     

Reactivation potency of fluorinated pyridinium oximes for acetylcholinesterases inhibited by paraoxon organophosphorus agent

For the purpose of developing new oxime reactivators of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) that have been inhibited by organophosphorus agents, emphasis was given to the finding that the lipophilic nature of fluorinated compounds is responsible for their enhanced transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB). As a result, we have designed and synthesized the fluorinated oxime derivatives, which quantum mechanical calculations suggest should have a greater lipophilicity and BBB permeability than their non-fluorinated analogs. Among the compounds explored in this study, 4 was found to have the highest potency for reactivation of paraoxon-inhibited housefly (HF) AChE.     

Spontaneous reactivation of acetylcholinesterase following organophosphate inhibition. I. An analysis of anomalous reactivation kinetics.

The first kinetic studies on the spontaneous reactivation of Sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) are reported. With increasing pH the extent of reactivation increases while the observed rate constant decreases. An analysis of the change in aging rate constant as a function of pH suggests that the aging of alkyl-alkoxy phosphonylated acetylcholinesterases is not solely acid catalyzed.     

Characterization of the binding sites for nimodipine and (-)-desmethoxyverapamil in bovine cardiac sarcolemma

The bovine cardiac sarcolemmal binding sites for the dihydropyridine nimodipine and the phenylalkylamine (-)-desmethoxyverapamil were studied. The density of the nimodipine and (-)-desmethoxyverapamil binding sites increased 8.3-fold and 3.4-fold with the sarcolemma. The binding sites for both compounds were destroyed by trypsin. Nimodipine bound in the presence of 1 mM free calcium to a high-affinity and a low-affinity site with apparent Kd values of 0.35 +/- 0.09 nM (n = 9) and 33 +/- 6.0 nM (n = 9) and with apparent densities of 0.3 +/- 0.05 pmol/mg (n = 9) and 8.2 +/- 1.0 pmol/mg (n = 9). The binding to the high-affinity site was abolished by 1 mM EGTA. The binding sites were specific for dihydropyridines. The (-)-isomers of several phenylalkylamines inhibited nimodipine binding by an apparent allosteric mechanism. (-)-Desmethoxyverapamil bound in the presence of 5 mM EGTA to a high-affinity and a low-affinity site with apparent Kd values of 1.4 +/- 0.3 nM (n = 6) and 171 +/- 26 nM (n = 6) and with apparent densities of 0.16 +/- 0.02 pmol/mg (n = 6) and 13.6 +/- 2.7 pmol/mg (n = 6). The binding to both sites was inhibited by calcium with a half-maximal concentration of 4.3 mM. The binding sites were specific for the other phenylalkylamines and had a higher affinity for the (-)-isomers than for the (+)-isomers. Nimodipine inhibited the binding of (-)-desmethoxyverapamil by an apparent allosteric mechanism. d-cis-Diltiazem inhibited non-competitively the binding of (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil with a Ki of 3.7 microM. Diltiazem up to concentrations of 10 microM did not affect the amount of nimodipine bound at equilibrium at 20 degrees C. However, but in agreement with this result, diltiazem decreased threefold at 20 degrees C the dissociation and association rates for the high-affinity nimodipine receptor. These rates were only marginally affected at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. d-cis-Diltiazem reversed in a competitive manner the inhibition of nimodipine binding elicited by the addition of (-)-desmethoxyverapamil with a Ka value of 1.6 microM. The amount of nimodipine bound was inhibited by 50% by the adenosine uptake inhibitors nitrobenzylthioinosine and hexobendine with apparent median inhibitory concentrations of 1 nM and 3 nM, respectively. Nitrobenzylthioinosine completely abolished binding of nimodipine to the low-affinity site, but did not affect binding to the high-affinity site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inhibition of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and perturbation of polyamine metabolism by 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin

3-Deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin, previously known mainly as a potent inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, can also inhibit the activity of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase. The release of [14C]CO2 from HeLa cells labeled with [carboxyl-14C]methionine was inhibited by more than 70% after 4 hours in the presence of 4 microM 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin. Concomitant with this inhibition, there was a significant increase in the amount of putrescine in the HeLa cells. Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase isolated from HeLa cells could also be inhibited by 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin and 3-deazaadenosine, 3-deazaadenosylhomocysteine, and 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycinylhomocysteine.     

Reactivation of vanadium bromoperoxidase; inhibition by metallofluoric compounds.

The effect of phosphate analogs (pyrophosphate, aluminofluoride and beryllofluoride complexes) on the reactivation of apobromoperoxidase by vanadate was studied. P2O7(4-) inhibited the reactivation in the millimolar range. Of the different aluminofluoride complexes, only AlF4- was inhibitory. In addition, BeF4(2-) also appeared to bind with high affinity to the apobromoperoxidase, thus inhibiting the reactivation very strongly. The inhibition observed supports a mechanism in which the fluorometallic complexes act as analogs of vanadate and bind accordingly to the apobromoperoxidase.     

Hydrolytic enzymes of Psoroptes cuniculi (Delafond)

Phosphatases, C4 and C8 esterases, leucine and valine aminopeptidases, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase were detected in extracts of the parasitic mite Psoroptes cuniculi. Lipase, trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities were not present. Haemoglobin was hydrolysed by a detergent-soluble fraction of the mite extracts with a maximum hydrolysis between pH 3 and 5. Acid proteinase activity was greater against haemoglobin than bovine serum albumin. Inhibitors of cysteine, serine and metallo-proteinases failed to inhibit the hydrolysis of H-Pro-Thr-Glu-Phe-Phe(NO2)-Arg-Leu-OH while pepstatin A inhibited its hydrolysis in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 8.02 x 10(-11) M (+/- 0.30 x 10(-11). Thermal inactivation of the proteolytic activity followed an exponential decay pattern. Typical K(m) and Vmax values were 7.2 x 10(-5) (+/- 0.7 x 10(-5) M-1 and 1.13 x 10(-3) (+/- 0.05 x 10(-3) OD unit-1 min-1 respectively. Acid proteinase activity eluted from a size exclusion column in a single, major peak representing a molecular weight range of 21-24.5 kDa. The major endoproteinase of P. cuniculi therefore appears to be a cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase.     

Comparison of psychic emergence reactions after (+/-)-ketamine and (+)-ketamine in mice

Ketamine is a racemic mixture containing equal parts of (+)-ketamine and (-)-ketamine. The ketamine enantiomorphs are different in anesthesia and psychic emergence reactions after anesthesia. Therefore, (+)-ketamine was compared with racemic ketamine in a number of randomized studies in volunteers and patients. However, their relations remain controversial. In the present studies, the psychic emergence reactions after injection of (+/-)-ketamine and (+)-ketamine were compared in mice. At equimolar doses, the (+)-isomers elicited episodes of hypnosis nearly 1.4-fold more potent than those of the racemic ketamine. After the administration of equihypnotic doses of (+)-ketamine and (+/-)-ketamine, the posthypnotic stimulation of locomotor activity, stereotype behavior and 5-HT-induced head-twitch response by the (+)-enantiomorph was significantly less intense than that of racemic ketamine. In receptor binding test, (+)-ketamine showed a higher affinity for NMDA receptor than that of (+/-)-ketamine, while (+)-ketamine and (+/-)-ketamine showed no affinity for dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptor. These results suggest that the (+)-ketamine has fewer posthypnotic side effects than (+/-)-ketamine when (+)-ketamine and (+/-)-ketamine were administered at equihypnotic dosages and that dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptor were not involved in the effects of (+)-ketamine and (+/-)-ketamine.     

Small molecular products of dealkylation in soman-inhibited electric eel acetylcholinesterase.

Product analysis of dealkylation in P(S)C(S)-soman-inhibited electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by GC-MS using the selected ion monitoring mode has been carried out. The instrument was calibrated with pure standards of 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene and 2, 3-dimethyl-2-butene in the gas phase and methylene chloride extracts of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol and 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanol from the aqueous phase. The dealkylation in soman-inhibited AChE at pH 5.0 +/- 0.2 and 25 degrees C produces close to 40% alkenes and 50-60% 2, 3-dimethyl-2-butanol. No 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanol could be detected to provide direct evidence of the intervention of a secondary carbenium ion in the reaction path. All the products of the reaction originate from a tertiary carbenium ion. These findings are in good agreement with the results of Michel et al. [(1967) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 121, 29], which were obtained by countercurrent distribution of tritium-labeled products and their identification by scintillation counting. The early experiments were performed with the mixture of the four soman diastereomers, all labeled with tritium in Calpha.     

OKT-3/cyclophosphamide up-regulation of peripheral blood killer-lymphocyte subsets in human cancer patients.

We have initiated a clinical trial in 7 patients using low-dose OKT-3 monoclonal antibody, 50 mcg, followed 24 hours later by low-dose cyclophosphamide, 300 mg/m2. Complete data in 5 patients indicate a significant up-regulation of the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Before treatment, the mean (+/- standard deviation) total lymphocyte count was 524 (+/- 364)/mm3. After 4 weeks the value rose 64% to 860 (+/- 243)/mm3, (P less than .025, Student's t test). Similar changes were observed for the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD16+ (NK) lymphocyte subsets. The mean CD3+ population rose from 372 (+/- 325)/mm3 to 593 (+/- 300)/mm3 (P less than .025), the mean CD4+ group rose from 209 (+/- 142)/mm3 to 321 (+/- 104)/mm3 (P less than .05), the CD8+ cells rose from 218 (+/- 205)/mm3 to 341 (+/- 197)/mm3 (P less than .05), and the CD16+ (NK cells) rose from 80 (+/- 37)/mm3 to 157 (+/- 63)/mm3 (P less than .025). Statistically significant up-regulation occurred for all patients. The fraction of each lymphocyte subset and the T4/T8 ratio did not change. OKT-3/cyclophosphamide appears to modulate the number of circulating lymphocytes in human cancer patients.     

Differential susceptibilities of serine/threonine phosphatases to oxidative and nitrosative stress

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are signal-transducing molecules that regulate the activities of a variety of proteins. In the present investigation, we have compared the effects of superoxide (O2-), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the activities of three highly homologous serine/threonine phosphatases, protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1), protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A), and calcineurin (protein phosphatase type 2B). Although superoxide, generated from xanthine/xanthine oxidase or paraquat, and NO, generated from (+/-)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexenamide or sodium nitroprusside, potently inhibited the phosphatase activity of calcineurin in neuroblastoma cell lysates, they had relatively little effect on the activities of PP1 or PP2A. In contrast, H2O2 inhibited the activities of all three phosphatases in lysates but was not a potent inhibitor for any of the enzymes. Calcineurin inactivated by O2-, NO, and H2O2 could be partially reactivated by the reducing agent ascorbate or by the thiol-specific reagent dithiothreitol (DTT). Maximal reactivation was achieved by the addition of both reagents, which suggests that ROS and RNS inhibit calcineurin by oxidizing both a catalytic metal(s) and a critical thiol(s). Reactivation of H2O2-treated PP1 also required the combination of both ascorbate and DTT, whereas PP2A required only DTT for reactivation. These results suggest that, despite their highly homologous structures, calcineurin is the only major Ser/Thr phosphatase that is a sensitive target for inhibition by superoxide and nitric oxide and that none of the phosphatases are sensitive to inhibition by hydrogen peroxide.     

The naphthylamine palladium(II) template induced E-Z isomerism of exocyclic vinyl group in five-membered P-N chelates: detailed spectroscopic studies

The exocyclic CC bond E-Z isomerism of chelating Ph₂PC(CHPh)-CHNAr in organopalladium complexes containing orthometallated [(S)-1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene is reported. In dilute solutions of non-coordinating CH₂Cl₂ or CHCl₃, all the original E-isomers, in which the CHPh phenyl rings are located trans to PPh₂ moieties were partly converted to their Z-isomers. The isomerism was found to be dependent on temperature, concentration and solvent. At higher temperature, the Z-isomers were transformed completely back to their original E-isomers. Removal of the chiral auxiliaries of the E-Z mixtures by concentrated HCl, gave only the dichloro complexes of the E-isomers. The E-Z isomerization processes were well established by detailed spectroscopic studies, including ³¹P NMR, ¹H NMR and 2D ¹H-¹H ROESY NMR studies. It is noteworthy that the dichloro complexes and free P-N ligands did not show such isomerization processes, indicating that the isomerization processes were triggered by the orthopalladated naphthylamine moiety.     

Structural rationalization for the lack of stereospecificity in coenzyme B12-dependent diol dehydratase

Adenosylcobalamin-dependent diol dehydratase of Klebsiella oxytoca is apparently not stereospecific and catalyzes the conversion of both (R)- and (S)-1,2-propanediol to propionaldehyde. To explain this unusual property of the enzyme, we analyzed the crystal structures of diol dehydratase in complexes with cyanocobalamin and (R)- or (S)-1,2-propanediol. (R)- and (S)-isomers are bound in a symmetrical manner, although the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the substrate and the active-site residues are the same. From the position of the adenosyl radical in the modeled "distal" conformation, it is reasonable for the radical to abstract the pro-R and pro-S hydrogens from (R)- and (S)-isomers, respectively. The hydroxyl groups in the substrate radicals would migrates from C(2) to C(1) by a suprafacial shift, resulting in the stereochemical inversion at C(1). This causes 60 degrees clockwise and 70 degrees counterclockwise rotations of the C(1)-C(2) bond of the (R)- and (S)-isomers, respectively, if viewed from K+. A modeling study of 1,1-gem-diol intermediates indicated that new radical center C(2) becomes close to the methyl group of 5'-deoxyadenosine. Thus, the hydrogen back-abstraction (recombination) from 5'-deoxyadenosine by the product radical is structurally feasible. It was also predictable that the substitution of the migrating hydroxyl group by a hydrogen atom from 5'-deoxyadenosine takes place with the inversion of the configuration at C(2) of the substrate. Stereospecific dehydration of the 1,1-gem-diol intermediates can also be rationalized by assuming that Asp-alpha335 and Glu-alpha170 function as base catalysts in the dehydration of the (R)- and (S)-isomers, respectively. The structure-based mechanism and stereochemical courses of the reaction are proposed.     

Hofmeister effects of anions on the kinetics of partial reactions of the Na+,K+-ATPase.

The effects of lyotropic anions, particularly perchlorate, on the kinetics of partial reactions of the Na+,K+-ATPase from pig kidney were investigated by two different kinetic techniques: stopped flow in combination with the fluorescent label RH421 and a stationary electrical relaxation technique. It was found that 130 mM NaClO4 caused an increase in the Kd values of both the high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites, from values of 7.0 (+/- 0.6) microM and 143 (+/- 17) microM in 130 mM NaCl solution to values of 42 (+/- 3) microM and 660 (+/- 100) microM in 130 mM NaClO4 (pH 7.4, 24 degrees C). The half-saturating concentration of the Na+-binding sites on the E1 conformation was found to decrease from 8-10 mM in NaCl to 2.5-3.5 mM in NaClO4 solution. The rate of equilibration of the reaction, E1P(Na+)3 left arrow over right arrow E2P + 3Na+, decreased from 393 (+/- 51) s-1 in NaCl solution to 114 (+/- 15) s-1 in NaClO4. This decrease is attributed predominantly to an inhibition of the E1P(Na+)3 --> E2P(Na+)3 transition. The effects can be explained in terms of electrostatic interactions due to perchlorate binding within the membrane and/or protein matrix of the Na+,K+-ATPase membrane fragments and alteration of the local electric field strength experienced by the protein. The kinetic results obtained support the conclusion that the conformational transition E1P(Na+)3 --> E2P(Na+)3 is a major charge translocating step of the pump cycle.     

Molecular modeling, structure--activity relationships and functional antagonism studies of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-piperidyl 4-methylphenyl ketones as a novel class of dopamine transporter inhibitors.

We previously disclosed the discovery of 4-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-piperidyl 4-methylphenyl ketone (3) as a novel class of dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors and showed that (+/-)-3 has a significant functional antagonism against cocaine in vitro. Our previous preliminary structure-activity relationship study led to identification of a more potent DAT inhibitor [(+/-)-4] but this compound failed to show any significant functional antagonism. To search for more potent analogues than 3 but still displaying significant functional antagonism, further SARs, molecular modeling studies and in vitro pharmacological evaluation of this novel class of DAT inhibitors were performed. Sixteen new analogues were synthesized in racemic form and evaluated as DAT inhibitors. It was found that seven new analogues are reasonably potent DAT inhibitors with K(i) values of 0.041--0.30 and 0.052--0.16 microM in [(3)H]mazindol binding and inhibition of DA reuptake. Chiral isomers of several potent DAT inhibitors were obtained through chiral HPLC separation and evaluated as inhibitors at all the three monoamine transporter sites. In general, the (-)-isomer is more active than the (+)-isomer in inhibition of DA reuptake and all the (-)-isomers are selective inhibitors at the DAT site. Evaluation of cocaine's effect on dopamine uptake in the presence and absence of (+)-3 and (-)-3 showed that (-)-3 is responsible for the functional antagonism obtained with the original lead (+/-)-3. Out of the new compounds synthesized, analogue (+/-)-20, which is 8- and 3-fold more potent than (+/-)-3 in binding and inhibition of DA reuptake, appeared to have improved functional antagonism as compared to (+/-)-3.     

Comparative quantitative structure toxicity relationships for flavonoids evaluated in isolated rat hepatocytes and HeLa tumor cells

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) equations were obtained to describe the cytotoxicity of 22 polyphenols using toxicity (logLD50) representing the concentration for 50% cell survival in 2 h for isolated rat hepatocytes, log P representing octanol/water partitioning, and/or E(p/2) representing redox potential. One- and two-parameter equations were derived for the quantitative structure toxicity relationships (QSTR) for polyphenol induced hepatocyte cytotoxicity: e.g. log C(hepatocyte) (microM)=-0.65(-0.08)log P+4.12(-0.15) (n=19, r(2)=0.80, s=0.33, P<1 x 10(-6)). One- and two-parameter QSAR equations were also derived to describe the inhibitory effects of 13 polyphenols on tumor cell growth when incubated with HeLa cells for 3 days: e.g. log C(tumor) (microM)=-0.34(+/-0.04)log P+2.40(+/-0.07) (n=11, r(2)=0.90, s=0.13, P<1 x 10(-5)). These findings point to lipophilicity as a major characteristic determining polyphenol cytotoxicity. The E(p/2) also played a significant role in polyphenol cytotoxicity towards both cell types: e.g. log C(hepatocyte) (microM)=-0.60(+/-0.06)log P+2.01(+/-0.43)E(p/2) (V)+3.86(+/-0.12) (n=9, r(2)=0.96, s=0.15, P<0.005). The involvement of log P and E(p/2) could be explained if polyphenol cytotoxicity involved the formation of radicals, which interacted with the mitochondrial inner membrane resulting in a disruption of the membrane potential.